More than 300 business and civic leaders convened today at ForecastSF 2014, the region’s leading economic forecast and jobs summit, presented by Wells Fargo in partnership with the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and its foundation partner, the San Francisco Center for Economic Development.

Economic growth in San Francisco continues to outpace the state and national economies. A highly-educated workforce and access to financial capital continue to drive business investment in the metro area,” said Wells Fargo Chief Economist John E. Silvia. “The housing market has made sizable gains, with new residential construction coming on line, although affordability remains an issue.”

This year’s event also spotlighted “innovation districts” – a radical departure from traditional economic development practices.

“At a time when many cities are still struggling to create broad-based economic growth, innovation districts—places that are physically compact, transit accessible, offer mixed-use properties and cluster cutting edge research institutions and R&D intensive companies with start-ups and business incubators–super-charge the innovation economy,” said Bruce Katz. “This is critical because innovation and tech jobs have a strong multiplier effect in creating non-tech based jobs thereby ensuring a sustainable and inclusive economy which is crucial to San Francisco’s continued recovery and future growth.”

To explore the topic of innovation districts further – and how San Francisco might act as a hub to weaving together other Bay Area regions – Kofi Bonner moderated an exclusive panel discussion with the Honorable Willie Brown, Jr.; Kim Majerus, Vice President, US Public Sector, Cisco Systems; Nancy McFadden, Executive Secretary, Office of the Governor of California; and Leslie Wong, President, San Francisco State University.

San Franciscans should be proud of the level of economic growth that has been achieved through public-private collaboration and the engagement of the city’s diverse business community,”